When discussing the Chicago Bears’ draft intentions, conversations center around a select few players. Most believe it’s a race between names like Jalen Carter, Paris Johnson, Broderick Jones, Darnell Wright, and maybe Christian Gonzalez. Those names have been mentioned the most by many insiders in recent weeks. They fit GM Ryan Poles’ physical thresholds. They’re big, strong, athletic, and have the necessary length head coach Matt Eberflus looks for. However, at least one notable insider didn’t follow that same path.
Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network has long been one of the more respected and well-connected insiders in the business. He released his own mock draft recently and made it clear it was entirely driven by what he hears around the league.
“My selections and pre-draft needs are mostly based on discussions with league sources (coaches or executives) who know these teams and players inside and out.
So, when I make a pick, you’ll know a lot of my intel comes from people who are qualified to evaluate game tape from college but also who know NFL teams quite well.”
That is where it gets interesting.
With Johnson, Jones, and Wright still on the board, Caplan doesn’t think the Bears will go for any of them. Instead, they opt for a familiar face from their own backyard.
“9) Chicago Bears (From CAR): Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
From talking to offensive line coaches and personnel executives, Peter Skoronski will have to transition from playing left tackle to guard at the NFL level due to his lack of ideal size.
However, word around the NFL is that he truly is one of the 12-13 players who carry a true first-round grade for this draft. Each year, teams typically have anywhere from 10-15 players who have been graded with a first-round value, according to personnel sources.
Skoronski put together outstanding college tape, and he would start immediately for a team that is badly lacking blue-chip talent on the offensive line, such as the Bears.”
What’s interesting is several prominent draft experts back up Caplan. Mel Kiper of ESPN and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, with their own credible league connections, connected Skoronski to Chicago. Maybe it’s a coincidence. Or perhaps they’re hearing the same things.
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The Chicago Bears may not want to get cute.
Poles knows this is his first 1st round pick as GM. He can’t afford to get it wrong. In these situations, the best thing to do might be to take the safest prospect on your board. Skoronski fits that description. While he might not be flashy, almost every expert agrees he has the floor of a long-term NFL starter. The only hangup people have on him are his shorter-than-average arms. Tackles generally need arms of 34 inches or longer to function. Skoronski’s barely exceed 32. While there have been tackles that have success despite this drawback, it’s far from a regular occurrence. That is why most project him inside at guard.
One thing to remember about Poles is he’s a big fan of what is described as “get the job done” types of guys. Ben Jones and Creed Humphrey are two names he’s said to have been a huge fan of. Skoronski is built in the same mold. He’s not the biggest, strongest, or most athletic. Still, he’s enough of all three, tough as nails and an absolute technician at his craft. He can step in right away and start almost anywhere on the line. If he’s the pick, the Chicago Bears won’t regret it.
